Answer:
Mohammad Reza Pahlavi was a pro-US leader in Iran.
Explanation:
Mohammad Reza Pahlavi came to power during World War II after an Anglo-Soviet invasion forced the abdication of his father, Reza Shah. As a ruler, he began the White Revolution, a series of economic, social and political reforms with the stated intention of turning Iran into a global power, modernizing the nation, nationalizing certain industries and giving women the right to vote.
A secular Muslim, Mohammad Reza had gradually lost the support of Iran's Shiite clerics as well as the working class, especially to his strong policy of modernization and secularization (that clashed with the traditional class of merchants known as bazaari), relations with Israel and the corruption issues involving him, his family, and the ruling elite. Several other controversial policies were passed, including the ban on the communist Tudeh Party and the crackdown on political dissidents by the Iranian intelligence service, SAVAK. According to official statistics, Iran had more than 2,200 political prisoners in 1978, a number that multiplied rapidly with the revolution.
Several other factors contributed to the strong opposition to the Shah among certain groups within Iran, such as US and UK support for his regime, clashes with fundamentalists, and increased communist activity. In 1979, political unrest culminated in a revolution that, on January 17, forced him to leave Iran. Soon after, the Iranian monarchy was formally abolished and Iran was declared an Islamic republic led by Ruhollah Khomeini. Faced with the risk of execution if he returned to Iran, Mohammad Reza died in exile in Egypt, where President Anwar Sadat granted him political asylum.
